Shoplifting is taking anything from a store without purchasing it. A person who is arrested and charged with shoplifting may be facing a felony or misdemeanor charge, depending on how much they have allegedly stolen from the store. Anyone facing these charges should contact a Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbus IN immediately after the arrest.

Get Help With Questioning

Someone who is being questioned by the asset protection team or by the police should avoid answering questions without legal representation. They may be required to prove their identity, but they do not have to answer questions beyond this. Anything they do say can be used against them, so they will want to have a lawyer who can help them avoid saying anything that could strengthen the evidence against them.

Learn About Potential Defenses

There are a variety of ways to avoid a criminal conviction, but not all of them are a good option for a particular charge or a particular person. A lawyer can review the possible options and provide advice on which one to choose. They can explain how each of the options works and why they would or wouldn’t be a good suggestion for their client. Options may include requesting a deferred judgment, accepting a plea deal, or pleading not guilty and taking the case to court.

Work Toward a Better Outcome

The goal of the attorney is to protect the rights of their client, but they will work to make sure the client can get a better outcome if possible. This means they may be able to make some suggestions that will help their client avoid a conviction or help their client determine if a plea deal to drop a felony charge to a misdemeanor is a good idea. The person may not be able to avoid a conviction completely, but their lawyer will work to minimize the penalties they are facing.

If you’ve been arrested and charged with shoplifting or a related offense, make sure you hire a Criminal Defense Attorney in Columbus IN immediately to get the help you need. Browse the website for Alcorn Sage Schwartz & Magrath LLP today to learn more about how they can help you with these or other criminal charges.